AICPA Foundation Awards $296,500 to 97 Minority Accounting Scholars

New York (October 10, 2013) - The AICPA has announced that 97 accounting students from across the United States have been awarded the AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students for the 2013-14 academic year. The recipients were selected through a rigorous process, which assessed both their academic and leadership capabilities.

This year’s Minority Scholarship program received 339 eligible applications. The undergraduate and graduate level students who have received the scholarship have maintained a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and plan on pursuing the CPA licensure.

“The AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students provided me with resources to cover my textbooks and a portion of my tuition,” said Ezekiel Kayode, a 2012 – 2013 Minority Scholarship recipient. “Most importantly, the scholarship enhanced my success on the CPA exam, because I did not need to work while preparing for the exam. By providing me with this scholarship, the AICPA helped me attain my academic and career goals.”

As Minority Scholarship recipients, the 97 students become part of the AICPA Legacy Scholars program, which was established in 2011. The AICPA Legacy Scholars program awards recipients with a one-year AICPA scholarship and continues to offer benefits beyond their academic careers through the AICPA Legacy Scholars Alumni. Scholarship recipients perform eight hours of community service per semester. The service activity must relate to accounting, serve the community and be meaningful to the student.

AICPA Legacy Scholars are Student Affiliate Members of the AICPA, which is a free membership option available to all students who are enrolled in school. Each AICPA Legacy Scholar receives a coach who provides guidance on the student’s service project and serves as an advisor for questions related to the profession and the work environment.

The following students were selected as recipients for designated awards:

Accounting Education Foundation of the Texas Society of CPAs

· Julio Benavides

· Cassandra Blanchard

· Monica Boggan

· Courtney Caldwell

· Adlith Castillo

· Louise de Castro

· Jeannette Hernandez

· Jesus Moncayo

· Bryan Morgan

· Brian Talley

New Jersey Society of CPAs

· Chakele Chavies

· Anna Li

Robert Half International

· Michael Acosta

· Nathalie Sheriff

Stuart Kessler Scholarship Recipient

· Sahara Rodriguez

States with the most Minority Scholarship recipients this year are TX (13), NY (8), IL (7) and FL, GA and NC tied with (6).

Scholarship funding is provided by the AICPA Foundation with contributions from the Accounting Education Foundation of the Texas Society of CPAs ($10,000), the New Jersey Society of CPAs ($5,000) and Robert Half International ($5,500). The majority of students receive individual awards of $3,000 to fund expenses related to their pursuit of an accounting degree.

Students may apply for the AICPA’s scholarships online on ThisWaytoCPA between December and April.

The AICPA Minority Scholarship began in 1969 with the aim to increase the ethnic diversity of the CPA profession. Since the program’s inception, the AICPA Minority Scholarship has awarded approximately $15 million.

To learn more about the AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students and other scholarship opportunities, visit www.aicpa.org/scholarships.